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大吉ぼんのう鏡
Movie

大吉ぼんのう鏡

1962 • Unknown

Woke Score
2
out of 10

Plot

Overall Series Review

Daigichi Bonno-Kagami is a 1962 Japanese film adaptation of a Naoki Prize-winning novel, focusing on the dramatic moral and political downfall of a highly respected Buddhist priest. The narrative follows Hojo Sanrai Oshō, a man once revered as a 'living Buddha' who suddenly abandons his robes to vigorously campaign for a position on the sectarian council. The story details his shocking descent into worldly desire, as he spends huge sums of money and breaks sacred Buddhist precepts to win the election. It is a sharp, humanistic critique that explores the universal struggle between spiritual vows and temporal ambition, forcing an examination of integrity and corruption within a religious institution.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics1/10

The narrative focuses on the internal and external moral conflict of a man—a revered priest—who succumbs to corruption and worldly desire. Character is judged entirely by his actions and spiritual integrity; the casting is homogeneous and unrelated to race, forced diversity, or modern intersectional hierarchy.

Oikophobia2/10

The story exposes the corruption and hypocrisy of a respected figure within a Japanese institution (the Buddhist priesthood) but does not condemn the nation, culture, or ancestors entirely. The critique targets human failing and violation of the standard, not the fundamental corruption of the home culture itself.

Feminism1/10

The central drama is a moral and political struggle involving a male priest and his pursuit of power. The narrative does not contain 'Girl Boss' tropes, the emasculation of males, or anti-natal messaging.

LGBTQ+1/10

The narrative focuses entirely on the spiritual and political corruption of a Buddhist priest. Sexual identity, gender theory, or the centering of alternative sexualities is absent from the core plot.

Anti-Theism3/10

The movie is a moral critique of a priest who violates his sacred vows for worldly gain, directly engaging with spiritual concepts like 'Bonno' (worldly desires) and Buddhist precepts as an objective moral law. The narrative judges the failure of the individual, not the religion itself, which retains its moral standard.